24 km
291 m - 492 m
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Test report Ruka
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Ruka
Total result: 4 out of 5 stars
Test Ruka
The review Ruka was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Test result: 4 out of 5 stars
Skiresort.info Test Winner 2011:
Insider Tip: Best ski resorts with up to 50 km of slopes >>
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Ruka
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Ruka is one of the largest ski resorts in Finland.
Runs/slopes
Altitude difference
201 m (Valley 291 m - Mountain 492 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
18
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 4 ← 2
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 4 ← 2
On the Ruka mountain (Fjäll) there are 29 slopes of all difficulty levels available. The easier slopes dominate in Ruka.
Runs/slopes
Total 24 km
Easy
15 km
(62 %)Intermediate
6 km
(25 %)Difficult
3 km
(13 %)
Longest run
1 km
Run location
under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
In addition to the modern six person chair lift - Ruka Express, there are also four slower chair lifts as well as t-bars and practice lifts.
Number of ski lifts
18
Total capacity
22915 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
9.3 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
5
10
3
Additional
2
Photos
The Ruka ski resort has the longest season in Finland. Due to the northern location and snow levels, the ski season has lasted 200-250 days in the last five years!
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
70 Snow canons
80 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is always open when ski resort is open; without the valley run, ski operation is not possible.
Season 2009/2010
250 Days open
250 Days when valley run open
250 Days when valley run open
Season 2010/2011
239 Days open
239 Days when valley run open
239 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is very good.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Further evaluation criteria
The E63 passes right by the ski resort. It is only a few minutes away from the exit. The Kuusamo airport is about a half hour away.
Access via E63 (5) Kuopio-Sodankylä, Exit Ruka
- Etutuoli (Kuusamo), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 2 km · approx. 4 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Parking garage, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
- Ruka Express (Kuusamo), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 5 km · approx. 8 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the entire ski resort very well. The lifts are included with all information. The slope numbers, but not the slope names are included. The restaurants are indicated with symbols. There is also information about the children's slopes and a map of Ruka Village.
The trail map depicts the entire ski resort very well. The lifts are included with all information. The slope numbers, but not the slope names are included. The restaurants are indicated with symbols. There is also information about the children's slopes and a map of Ruka Village.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
There are information boards distributed throughout the ski resort and each slope is sign-posted.
There are information boards distributed throughout the ski resort and each slope is sign-posted.
The ski lifts are operated with green energy and thereby the CO2 levels are reduced to zero. Waste is separated and nature is protected. In some of the restaurants however, drinks are still served in plastic cups.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
Photos
The employees are friendly and are always there to help guests entering the t-bar lifts.
There are 7 places to stop for refreshments in the ski resort and 15 restaurants in Ruka Village. From the simple ski hut to gourmet restaurants - everything is available. There are also open fire pits in the resort where you can grill your own sausages.
22 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Riipisen Ravintola
At the Kelo valley station
Specialty restaurant for game. Here you can even eat bear steaks.
-
-
Restaurant Piste
At the base station in Ruka Village
The restaurant for lunch and dinner. This first-class cuisine is served overlooking the slopes.
Mountain hut tip
-
Monomesta
At the base station Pessari
Cozy cottage with a sun terrace. On the sunny terrace there is an open fireplace and weekly live bands.
Photos
Ruka is well-known in Finland for its Après Ski. It can also go on pretty long here. There are also some bars in Ruka Village with live bands.
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Colorado Mts. Bar & Grill
In Ruka Village
Après ski bar and restaurant with large bar and cozy atmosphere. On the weekends they feature live bands.
All accommodations in Ruka Village have direct access to the slopes. There are also some accommodations around the ski resort at the valley stations. Chalet Ruka Peak is located in the middle of the ski resort.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Ruka Village
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort)
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
The use of the lifts is free for children under 7 years as long as they wear a helmet. The resort has four ski lifts which are exclusively reserved for children. Almost all of the slopes are ideal for families and children. The runs which are especially nice for families are marked in the trail map. A perfect ski resort for the whole family.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Merry-go-round
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
- Playground / park
- Mascot (Rosa & Rudolf)
Special tips for children
-
Rosa & Rudolf Adventure Trail
The Rosa & Rudolf Adventure Trail with many fun stations is located on slope Nr. 26. There is even a reindeer enclosure where you can pet the animals.
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Vuosseli Kids
At the Vuosseli base station, there is a conveyor belt, rope tow, platter lift and a giant snowman. The ideal place for children.
Photos
The Ruka ski resort is ideal for beginners. The whole resort can be accessed via easy and very easy runs.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Free practice lift/ beginner lift
Ski schools on-site
- Ski School Ruka
Ski School Ruka - the oldest and largest ski school in Finland.
Photos
There are only a few difficult runs and these can not compare with the steepness of the slopes in the Alps. There are some difficult runs leading towards Pessari and to the Ruka Village. The new FIS run really increases the offering for advanced skiers.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- few freeride/ deep snow areas
- few mogul slopes
- no extremely difficult, steep and unprepared runs (Double Diamonds)
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 24 km
Difficult
3 km
(13 %)Most difficult run
-
Mogul run Nr. 3 · Length 0.3 km · Altitude difference 130 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
There is a flood lit Battery Park and lit halfpipe in Ruka.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- few freeride/ deep snow areas
Snow parks
- Battery Park
Battery Park is the favourite area for most of the snowboarders and freestylers who come to Ruka. In this area, you find different levels and sizes of jumps and rails and other fun obstacles. There are 3 levels of lines: Small, Medium and Big- something for all skill levels.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- Halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Boardercross
- Waverides
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area
Photos
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 450 km
The area surrounding Ruka and Kuusama is a paradise for cross-country skiers.
Conclusion
Long ski season, open fireplaces in the ski resort, children's and beginner's slopes
Low altitude difference
Test Report issued on 2011-04-13
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